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I motion to Paul, who aims his gun at the cameras all over the office, knocking them out one by one. “I have a fucking problem, Hughes. Do you know what my problem is? I’m starting to think this city has too many rats that work for me. So, what better way to start cleaning up than at the top?”
Hughes unfolds his arms and runs a hand over his face. “Unless I give you something valuable in return.”
I offer Hughes a slow clap. “Congratulations. You’re not the dumb fuck I thought you were. You’re already doing better than Frances. Then again, he’s dead, so it’s not a hard standard to surpass.”
Hughes loses some of the color in his face. “Your doing, I presume?”
I shrug. “I wouldn’t say that since Frances had it coming. He made a lot of enemies when he was trying to kill his way to the top.”
Hughes stares at me for a long minute. “You want to know who is backing the Natoris and Philipses.”
I pause to roll up the sleeves of one shirt and then the other. “And who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”
Hughes shifts from one foot to the other, his tongue darting out to lick his dry lips. “I know who the new backer is, but word on the street is he isn’t a new player.”
“Well, look at that. Mayor fucking Hughes isn’t so worthless after all.”
Hughes shoves a hand into his pocket and attempts to stand up straighter. “He’s been watching you for a while, so when he saw an opening, he took it. In a way, you created this problem for yourself by removing me from the equation.”
Goddamn it, Hughes is right. As much as I hate the slimy son of a bitch, at least I know how to handle him. He is the devil I know, and he’s got to be better than whoever is lurking out there, watching and waiting for the time to strike.
For every cockroach I snuff out, ten more rise up to take his place.
Fucking pests, all of them.
I take my gun out of the waistband of my pants, aim it at the mayor’s feet, and fire. His eyes immediately widen as he lets out a startled scream. Then he crumbles into a heap on the floor and brings his legs to his chest. I advance on him, pull him up to his feet, and shove him into the nearest chair.
His face is growing more and more ashen.
I press the gun to one leg. “I did warn you about what would happen if I had to come back here, didn’t I? So, which leg is it going to be?”
Hughes sputters, a sickly sheen of sweat erupting on his forehead. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s an old saying about how lies can’t survive or flourish for long because they have no legs to stand on,” I explain with a pleasant smile. “Since you lie for a living, this means you don’t need both legs, so either you choose, or I’ll choose for you.”
Hughes pales further. “You can’t be serious! I told you everything I know.”
“Not good enough.” I press my face to his and watch as horror and fear play out across his features. “Since you were able to find out this information, this means you can find out more. You can tell me exactly who this new backer is.”
Hughes makes a low sound in the back of his throat.
I stand up and roll my shoulders. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood. But my men aren’t as forgiving or as patient. It’s been a long night for them.”
Lorenzo gives him a menacing look, and a tremor moves through Hughes.
I scratch the back of my neck and yawn. “So, why don’t I leave you all to come to an agreement? I don’t need to be here for this.”
Especially not when I’m trying to keep my monster in check. Even keeping him on a tight leash is hard, and it’s taking everything in me not to kill Hughes right then and there.
Considering everything he’s done, I know he deserves it. But I keep seeing Isabella’s face in my mind, and I keep hearing her voice in my head.
If I’m going to do better, it needs to start now.
Thankfully, none of my men are hindered by the same obstacles. Paul looks almost impatient when he takes off his jacket and cracks his knuckles. Hughes tries to rise to his feet, but Lorenzo pushes him back into the chair and bares his teeth at him.
The smell of sweat and urine fills the room. In the distance, there is a loud siren piercing through the air.
“It’s a new record,” I say loudly. “How long do you think it’ll take them to take care of you and hide the body before the cops get here? I don’t like your odds, Hughes.”
